Exeter City ace Sercombe excited to line up against Davids

EXETER City midfielder Liam Sercombe says he can't wait to line up against Barnet player-manager Edgar Davids on Saturday, labelling the Dutch maestro as the best player he will have faced so far in his career.

At the peak of his playing days, Davids was arguably one of the best midfielders in the world and in 2004 was named in FIFA's top 100 players of all time.

Sercombe admits it will be a surreal moment when he faces the former Juventus and Ajax star on Saturday having watched him on television when he was a boy.

"I can't really believe it," said Sercombe. "I remember watching him on telly and thinking what a massive, quality player he was.

"I know he is a bit older now but it will still be unbelievable to play against him."

Asked if it will be the highest profile player he has played against so far in his career, Sercombe added: "I would say so.

"I missed the Liverpool game (when Exeter lost 3-1 to the Reds in the League Cup in 2011), but even if I had played in that Liverpool game I think playing against Edgar Davids would have still been the biggest name for me to play against. I'm looking forward to it."

Davids joined Barnet on October 11 when the club were without a win in League Two.

However, in his first game for the club he picked up the man-of-the-match award as the Bees thrashed Northampton 4-0.

He has also helped lift Barnet out of the League Two relegation places, and Sercombe is wary of the threat the legendary midfielder will pose.

"Since he has gone there, Barnet seem to have picked up," said Sercombe. "He is obviously bringing a bit to the club. I just can't wait to play against him.

"He is getting on and is quite old now and I haven't seen any clips of him recently, so we will just how he does.

"I wouldn't say he was a role model (for me), but I did used to watch him and think he was a class player.

"Hopefully I can get the better of him on Saturday. Hopefully the age difference will come into it."

Sercombe is certainly in good form going into the match against Barnet. He scored in City's 1-1 draw with Plymouth Argyle in mid-December in what was his 11th consecutive start.

The attacking midfielder says he is enjoying his run in the side, but would like more goals.

"I'm pleased to be playing regularly," said Sercombe. "I want to play every game, it makes me feel a lot better in myself and makes me feel that much fitter and stronger when I'm playing than when I'm not.

"I'm pleased with the way it is going, all I want to do is perhaps add a few more goals to my game and hopefully help us stay in the play-off and automatic promotion places. That is what we are aiming for anyway."

He added: "I don't really set targets for goals. As long as we keep winning I'm not too bothered.

"It is nice to get a few goals, I would like at least five before the end of season – I think I am capable of doing that. I got seven last season, but the main thing for me is helping us get three points each week and helping us move up the league."